GirlGeek of the Week
August 2000

Marya Triandafellos

In 1987, Marya Triandafellos had her moment of truth. Standing in an auditorium at Parsons School of Design in New York City, Marya was inspired by a demonstration of Adobe Illustrator. She was so impressed that she decided to spend her entire savings, totaling $10,000, to buy a Mac II.

Partly because of the new hardware and partly because of her geeky realization, Marya's existing graphic design business took off, growing to encompass the digital domain as well as traditional print. In 1995, she first logged onto the Web and immediately went from designing magazines to designing Websites, where she focuses most of her attention to this day.

When did you first discover your love and/or obsession with computers and technology?

When I understood that computers could function as a tool that allowed me to develop many of my creative interests such as drawing, photography and writing, I fell in love.

How do you earn a living?

I am a partner and creative director in a Web design and development company.

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

I would say that I am a particular kind of geek--a gadget geek. I get excited by new tech toys. For example, I "wrote" this with ViaVoice voice recognition software!

What is your favorite Website?

My favorite site is unquestionably CDNow. I think it immensely improved on the brick and mortar shopping experience and allowed me to reunite with my interest in music. Gee, I hope they don't go chapter 11!

What do you do when you're not working?

• Watch non-blockbuster movies
• Draw with oil crayons
• Make documentary videos in New York City
• Travel and photograph stuff along the way
• Go to the gym (boxing is best!)
• Invent concoctions in the kitchen
• Read

What's your motto?

"Carpe diem."

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

I think Paul Reubens playing Pee Wee Herman playing me. He would need some hair and makeup since we don't look alike, but I don't think he would mind.

Who is the person you most admire?

I don't really have one person that I admire most. I really admire anyone who has achieved their goals, especially when it's in the face of adversity.

What would be the title of your autobiography?

"My Life is Worth a Thousand Gigabytes"

When and where were you the happiest?

I think it would have been as a small child living in Cambridge, Ontario.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

To make whatever I want come true!